Palace on DOJ’s dismissal of complaint vs Robredo, indictment of others: Let the law take its course

February 11, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte did not meddle in the investigation by the Department of Justice which dismissed the complaint of conspiracy to commit sedition against Vice President Leni Robredo while indicting other personalities.

"Well, as a matter of policy, the President does not interfere in any proceeding involving the departments," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo  in a press briefing.

The DOJ has cleared Robredo, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, former Senator Bam Aquino and other personalities of any involvement in video about the supposed "Ang Totoong Narcolist" that circulated online regarding the allegations made by Peter Joemel Advincula, alias "Bikoy."  

On the other hand, the justice department found probable cause to file charges against Trillanes, Advincula and eight others for conspiracy to commit sedition under Article 141 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the same video.

"If that is the finding of the Department of Justice, as he (Duterte) keeps on saying, 'Let the law take its course'," Panelo said.

He said prosecutors, who investigated the complaint, know their job.

"You know, the prosecutors, those investigating prosecutors know their task – to find probable cause. If the evidence presented to them does not show there is, then they have no other alternative but to dismiss the case," he said.

"We never engage with politics," Panelo, also the chief presidential legal counsel, said when asked on the observation that the administration could have been just engaged in politicking in pursuing the complaint against those critics of the administration.

He said Trillanes and others have the opportunity to defend themselves when formal charges are filed in court.

"There are remedies available to them. They should avail of them," he added. Celerina Monte/DMS